When MacOS X 10.4 prints to PDF-X it creates a PDF/X-3:2002 compliant file, probably regardless of the original content of the file. All fonts are embedded. RGB images without color calibration get a generic ICC profile called "Generic RGB Profile", if you generated the file from an English system. The file itself contains the specification of this profile. The ICC profile for an embedded image typically looks like this:
Profile version number: "2.2.0"The output intent of the file is defined as "CGATS TR 001 SWOP". This basically means that it follows an agreed standard for printing with CMYK color space. CGATS is the Committee for Graphic Arts Technologies Standards. SWOP is an abbreviation for Specifications Web Offset Publications. Both organisations are American but the standard could be applied throughout the world.
Color Management Module (CMM) type: "appl"
Profile/Device class signature: "mntr"
Color space of data: "RGB "
Profile Connection Space (PCS): "XYZ "
Magic number: "acsp"
Primary Platform: "Apple Computer, Inc. (APPL)"
Device manufacturer: "appl"
Device model: ""
Profile creator: "appl"
Creation date: "13/5/02 12:00"
Default rendering intent: Perceptual
Profile illuminant
- Illuminant X: 0.964203
- Illuminant Y: 1.000000
- Illuminant Z: 0.824905
Copyright information: "Copyright 2002 - 2003 Apple Computer Inc., all rights reserved."
Profile description: "Generic RGB Profile"
To see more of this data go to Applications > Utilities > ColorSync Utility > Filters.
In theory, it should be possible to create your own Filter and apply them with Automator. The general idea is to take an existing workflow from /Library/PDF Services and copy it under another name to your own equivalent folder ~/Library/PDF Services. Edit the PDF service and data with Automator and give it a PDF file as input.
However, the process to create new filters is buggy, unless you know exactly which way to take. It was bad in Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and it is not better in Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard). The I work in Pages blog has one process which is said to work. Again, there is a list of known problems and workarounds here.
3 comments:
Apple would not want to compete with Adobe Acrobat. Same problem for ColorSync 2 as for TrueType 2.
Either the implementation should be published as defective or the implementation should be documented and published as operative. The policy of betwixt and between produces a permanently poor experience for the everyday enduser.
Best wishes,
Henrik Holmegaard
I have tried to output to just the standard PDF-X via the Printer dialog box in OSX 10.5.5.
There is no save dialog after you click on the PDF-X option under the PDF button, with no opportunity to name or locate the file. I can find nothing on my Hard Drive that could be the resultant file.
How does this actually work?
Rubaiyat, you did exactly the right thing. It works for me. Are you sure you did not get any print dialogue even if you wait?
If so, you have probably come across a bug, which I have seen variations of in the past. However, I do not remember seeing any good solution.
If you post a description in Apple's forums, you can get the feedback of other people, who may have had more luck.
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